Staff & Leadership

Jennifer Simon

Director

Ms. Simon became the Director of the Ohio University Innovation Center (IC) in March 2009. During that time, the incubator client base has increased from 3 to 25. She raised over $2 million in grants expanding services and facility improvements. Ms. Simon led efforts to provide nearly $1 million in shared Biotechnology Research & Development equipment. She facilitates client access to capital through angels, venture capital, and traditional lending institutions.

Prior to the IC, Ms. Simon was the President of the Athens County Economic Development Council and held the position of Athens Area Chamber of Commerce CEO. Prior to these positions, as the Assistant Director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia, she managed over $60 million in grants. She holds a BA in Political Science, an MA in Public Administration and an MBA from Ohio University.

Stacy Strauss

Associate Director

Stacy Strauss joined the Innovation Center as the Associate Director in August 2014. At the Innovation Center, Strauss assists with facilities management, fundraising efforts, budget analysis, grant writing and other Innovation Center operations.

She joined the Innovation Center from Hocking College, where she has served in a dual role as a Student Affairs Coordinator and Career Services Director since April 2013. Prior to that position, she was Ohio University’s Head Soccer Coach for 13 years. During her tenure, the Bobcats won two Mid-American Championships, maintained a 3.4 cumulative GPA, and boasted a 97 percent graduation rate. In addition, Ms. Strauss was the founder and director of a small business - the Bobcat Soccer Club - in Athens from 2010 to 2013. Before her coaching years at Ohio University, Strauss worked as an assistant soccer coach at Dartmouth College and at the University of Rhode Island.

Ms. Strauss holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Kenyon College and a master’s degree in education from Ohio State University. Ms. Strauss resides in Athens, Ohio with her husband, John.

Joe Jollick

Lab Director

Joe Jollick joined the Innovation Center in August of 2011 as the Director of the Biotechnology Research and Development Facility. Joe is very passionate about helping small bio-tech businesses succeed in Southeast Ohio. He has lived in Athens since 1975, and received his BA in Biology from Ohio University and worked at the Edison Biotech Institute for three years. He has worked for Diagnostic Hybrids for the last fifteen years, where he was involved in the development and commercialization of multiple IVD products. Joe has extensive experience in the transfer of cell-based biological protocols and products from the research and development stage, through Manufacturing and Quality Control, to product launch.

Lauren McCullough

Client Services Coordintaor

Lauren McCullough joined the Innovation Center as the Client Services Coordinator in July, 2014. A native of Lancaster, Ohio, Lauren is a graduate of Ohio University where she received her Bachelors of Arts in Criminology and Masters of Public Administration from the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs. She is currently on the Board of Directors for ReUse Industries.

Prior to joining the Innovation Center, Lauren worked as a Graduate Assistant for TechGROWTH Ohio where she assisted companies and non-profit organizations in the validation of market opportunities and strategic business planning. Lauren is excited to join the Innovation Center’s team to work with new and partnering clients while providing supplementary support to transform local entrepreneurs and start-up companies into flourishing, successful businesses.

Susan Bauman

Administrative Associate

Susan Bauman joined the Innovation Center and the Technology Transfer Office in September of 2008.Her duties are split between the two areas.While wearing her Innovation Center hat, Susan maintains close contact with the member companies, often working with potential new tenants.

In conjunction with the Technology Transfer Office, her duties focus on database management and helping coordinate the patent and invention disclosure processes. Susan has been with Ohio University for 15 years, having worked for the Telecommunications Center (now the WOUB Center for Public Media) and the College of Business.She has a BSED from Ohio University, and holds the CAP designation through the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP).

Bridget Kilbane

Office Assistant

Bridget Kilbane graduated from Saint Joseph Academy in 2013. She is currently a junior in the College of Business, majoring in Accounting. Bridget has been working at the Innovation Center since November 2013 and manages office inventory, accounts payable, and student employee scheduling.

Phalen Kuckuck

Office Assistant

Phalen Kuckuck graduated from Talawanda High School in 2012. He is currently a Senior studying Criminology and Political Science in the College of Arts and Sciences at Ohio University. Phalen has been working at the Innovation Center since December of 2014 and manages archiving the newsletters, constant contact, updating conference room calendars, tracking event data and assembling metrics.

Alexis Milesky

Public Relations Specialist

Alexis Milesky graduated from Jonathan Alder High School in 2013 where she served as treasurer of the National Honor Society. She is currently a junior studying Adolescent Young Adult Education at Ohio University and is a member of Ohio University's NCAA Division I Soccer Team. Alexis began working at the Innovation Center in May 2015. She promotes the Innovation Center by creating the monthly newsletter, managing social media and updating the website.

Dan Mylett

Graphic Designer

Dan Mylett graduated from Fairview High School in 2012. He is currently a Junior studying Graphic Design in the College of Fine Arts at Ohio University. Dan has been working at the Innovation Center since May 2015 as a Graphic Design Intern who helps companies with their identity, branding, website and logo design.

Molly Schindler

Office Assistant

Molly Schindler graduated from Upper Arlington High School in 2012. She is currently a Senior in the College of Business, majoring in Marketing and Management Information Systems. Molly has been working at the Innovation Center since December 2014 and manages the tenant list, signage, client files, and organizing events and workshops.